Peyton Manning’s Monday night couldn’t have started much worse.
Manning threw interceptions on the Broncos’ first two drives against the Falcons, making bad throws into coverage both times and getting picked off first by Falcons strong safety William Moore and then by Falcons free safety Thomas Decoud.
Moore returned his interception to the 1-yard line, where Falcons running back Michael Turner punched it in to give Atlanta an early 7-0 lead. The second interception also set up the Falcons in Denver territory, but after Falcons receiver Julio Jones dropped a pass in the end zone, the Falcons had to settle for a field goal that made their lead 10-0.
On a night when Manning hoped he’d be able to pick apart a depleted Falcons secondary playing without franchise cornerback Brent Grimes, so far it’s been the Falcons having their way with Manning.